Swann: "I'd 'walk' in the Ashes"

Date released: 26 June 2009

Speaking after the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, England's Graeme Swann says he would 'walk' if not given out - even during the forthcoming Ashes.

The 2009 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture was delivered by Australia batsman Adam Gilchrist, famed for 'walking' (walking off whilst batting, even if not given out by the umpire) throughout his career.

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Swann was part of the panel discussion after the lecture hosted by broadcaster Mark Nicholas. When asked if he'd 'walk' this summer in the Ashes Swann said: "I'd like to think I would."

Nicholas pressed him: "Come on - it's The Oval. England are 2-1 up. You go forward to Nathan Hauritz, get the tiniest thing - England are already seven down and you're going to walk off?"

"I think I probably would." Swann replied to rapturous applause from the audience in the Nursery Pavilion.

"I said I think... I'm not promising anything." the smiling England spinner added carefully.

"The problem for me is on a tour in India one of their batsman had been out, caught bat-pad and got away with it. And Andrew Flintoff said to me 'What are you whinging about? If I ever see you walk I'll knock your head off!' - it was sort of, 'If they're not doing it, we're not doing it' - it's very much an individual thing."

Gilchrist: Not a fan of the umpire referral system The panel went on to discuss the controversial TV replay, umpire referral system. Gilchrist touched on the subject in his address, suggesting it be left out of Tests but trialled and "tinkered with" in the shorter formats:

"It goes against the spirit of the game." Gilchrist said.

"You're questioning the authority of the umpire. You're saying to them 'Look, I don't believe you, I don't trust you, I don't think you're right.'

"It's like being pulled over by the police and getting told you're speeding and challenging that authority.

"I don't like [the referral system], personally."

You can listen to Gilchrist's lecture in full
and listen to the panel discussion afterwards too - both exclusive to Lords.org.